Method for playing a poker game and tournament featuring no folding of cards by the players

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a poker game involving a plurality of players P includes the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet A to create a pot; Dealing in order first and second cards face-down to each player. Dealing three flop cards face-up, a fourth turn card face-up, and a fifth river card face-up while dealing three burn cards face-down; Turning over each player&#39;s respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player&#39;s two dealt cards in combination with the five face-up cards; Paying to the player having the best poker hand the pot P times A and deducting the casino rake and the bad-beat jackpot rake.

PRIOR APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of this inventor's co-pending U.S. Patent Office application having Ser. No. 12/802,853, having filing date Jun. 16, 2010, and being entitled “Method For Playing A Poker Game Featuring Dealer Play And No Folding Of Cards By The Players”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a Method For Playing A Poker Game and Tournament and in particular to a poker game and tournament involving no folding of cards by the players.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art discloses the following:

1) Snow published patent application number 2006-0284376, published on Dec. 21, 2006, and entitled “CASINO TABLE VARIANT OF TEXAS HOLD'EM POKER”, discloses:

“A variant game of Hold'Em poker allows for rules of play of one or all of Players being allowed to remain in game with an option of checking or making specific wagering amounts in first Play wagers, being limited in the size of subsequent available Play wagers or prohibited from making additional Play wagers if a first Play wager has been made, being limited in the size of available later Play wagers if a first or earlier Play wager has been made, and having the opportunity for at least two and as many as three or four distinct opportunities in the stages in the play of hand to be able to make one or more Play wagers.”

“A method of playing a wagering game using poker rankings wherein a player places at least an Ante wager prior to seeing any cards in play of a hand of the wagering game and is provided with an opportunity to make at least one additional play wager comprising at least one of a first play wager and a second play wager in the game subsequent to the Ante wager and after seeing at least a first one card in the play of the wagering game, wherein when a player elects to make a first play wager or not make the first play wager, that election changes options available to the player on the second play wager.”

“A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: A player placing at least an Ante wager to participate in the game; A dealer dealing at least one card to each player and at least one card to the dealer, each at least one card forming a partial hand; A dealer dealing at least one community card; Wherein after each player views the at least one card, the player either checks or makes a first Play wager that is a multiple of the amount of the Ante, at the option of the player; The dealer revealing at least one community card; and The players making a play bet that is less than a maximum allowable multiple of the first play bet if the player has not previously made the first Play bet or checking; and Paying the players whose poker hand rankings exceed the dealer hand ranking.”

“An interactive video gaming platform for multiple players, comprising: Multiple player stations; A first common video display area that displays game play, including cards and wagers; A second video display area displaying a video representation of a dealer; Wherein each player station is equipped with controls and the platform is programmed to execute a game, wherein the game rules include the steps of: Each player placing an Ante to participate in the game; Each player and the dealer receiving at least one card and at least one card is dealt face-down as common cards; After viewing the at least one player card, each player having an option to place a play wager that is a multiple of the Ante; Revealing at least one common card; wherein players who have not previously made a play wager either make a play wager that is a smaller multiple then a maximum multiple of the Ante of the first Play wager, or check.”

2) Feola published patent application number 2007-0176364, published on Aug. 2, 2007, and entitled “METHOD OF PLAYING A BONUS WAGER FOR A HOLD'EM-TYPE POKER GAME”, discloses:

“A method of playing a bonus for a Hold'em-type poker game wherein at least one card is dealt to each player hand and at least one card is dealt as community cards. A player wagering on the bonus wins if a subset of the community cards has a predetermined combination. Preferably, there are five community cards. In one embodiment, the bonus is determined from three of the community cards. In another embodiment, the bonus is determined from all five community cards.”

“A method of playing a bonus for a poker-type game with at least one 52-card deck of playing cards, said method comprising the following steps: (a) at least one player wagering on said bonus; (b) dealing at least one playing card to a plurality of hands; (c) dealing at least one playing card as community cards; (d) forming a bonus hand from a subset of said community cards; and (e) paying said at least one player a predetermined amount if said bonus hand has a predetermined combination of playing cards.”

“A method of playing a bonus for a poker-type game with at least one 52-card deck of playing cards, said method comprising the following steps: (a) at least one player wagering on said bonus; (b) dealing two playing cards to a plurality of hands; (c) dealing five playing cards as community cards; (d) forming a bonus hand from a subset of said community cards; and (e) paying said at least one player a predetermined amount if said bonus hand has a predetermined combination of playing cards.”

3) Webb published patent application number 2007-0216097, published on Sep. 20, 2007, and entitled “HOLD'EM TABLE GAME”, discloses:

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game includes dealing player cards to a player, dealer cards to a dealer, and community cards to form a player hand and a dealer hand. The players are provided with options to place wagers, wherein a number of placed wagers in play is determined according to a rank of the dealer hand. Moreover, not all wagers are required for the player to stay in the game.”

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game, the method comprising: (a) receiving an Ante wager from a player; (b) dealing at least one player card to the player and at least one dealer card to a dealer; (c) providing the player with an option to place a Play wager, wherein the Play wager is not required for the player to stay in the game; (d) dealing at least one community card, wherein a player hand includes cards selected from the at least one player card and the at least one community card, and wherein the dealer hand includes cards selected from the at least one dealer card and the at least one community card; and (e) resolving the Ante wager and the Play wager if placed according to a rank of the player hand versus a rank of the dealer hand.”

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game, the method comprising: (a) receiving an Ante wager from a player; (b) dealing at least one player card to the player and at least one dealer card to a dealer; (c) alternately providing the player with an option to place a subsequent wager and dealing at least one community card; (d) repeating step (c) until a predetermined number of wager options have been provided to the player and a predetermined number of community cards have been dealt, wherein a player hand includes cards selected from the at least one player card and at least one of the predetermined number of community cards, and wherein the dealer hand includes cards selected from the at least one dealer card and at least one of the predetermined number of community cards; and (e) resolving the Ante wager and all subsequent wagers according to a rank of the player hand versus a rank of the dealer hand, wherein the number of the subsequent wagers in play is determined according to the rank of the dealer hand.”

“A method of playing a house banked casino card game, the method comprising: (a) receiving an Ante wager from a player; (b) dealing two player cards to the player and two dealer cards to a dealer; (c) providing the player with an option to place a Play wager, wherein the Play wager is not required for the player to stay in the game; (d) dealing first, second and third community cards; (e) providing the player with an option to place a Flop wager, wherein the Flop wager is not required for the player to stay in the game; (f) dealing a fourth community card; (g) providing the player with an option to place a Turn wager, wherein the Turn wager is not required for the player to stay in the game; (h) dealing a fifth community card, wherein a player hand consists of five cards selected from the two player cards and the first through fifth community cards, and wherein the dealer hand consists of five cards selected from the two dealer cards and the first through fifth community card; (i) providing the player with an option to place a River wager, wherein the River wager is not required for the player to stay in the game; (j) determining which of the Play wager, the Flop wager, the Turn wager and the River wager are in play based on a poker rank of the dealer hand; and (k) resolving the Ante wager, the Play wager, the Flop wager, the Turn wager and the River wager if placed according to which of the wagers are in play based on a poker rank of the player hand versus a poker rank of the dealer hand.”

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game comprising dealing player cards to a player, dealer cards to a dealer, and community cards to form a player hand and a dealer hand, and providing the player with options to place wagers, wherein a number of placed wagers in play is determined according to a rank of the dealer hand.”

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game comprising dealing player cards to a player, dealer cards to a dealer, and community cards to form a player hand and a dealer hand, and providing the player with options to place wagers, wherein only one wager is required for the player to stay in the game.”

4) Webb published patent application number 2007-0216099, published on Sep. 20, 2007, and entitled “HOLD'EM TABLE GAME”, discloses:

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game includes dealing player cards to a player, dealer cards to a dealer, and community cards to form a player hand and a dealer hand. After initial wagers, the players are provided with options to place additional wagers, which are not required to stay in the game. Competition wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the dealer hand and the player hand, and a proposition wager is resolved based on either the player hand or the dealer, or possibly the better of the two, against a payout scale.”

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game, the method comprising: (a) receiving an Ante wager, a Blind wager, and a Two-Way wager from a player; (b) dealing two player cards to the player and two dealer cards to a dealer; (c) dealing three community cards to a center card area; (d) after step (c), providing the player with an option to place a Flop wager, wherein the Flop wager is not required for the player to stay in the game; (e) after step (d), dealing two additional community cards; (f) after step (e), providing the player with an option to place a River wager, wherein the River wager is not required for the player to stay in the game, wherein a player hand includes cards selected from the player cards, the three community cards, and the two additional community cards, and wherein the dealer hand includes cards selected from the dealer cards, the three community cards, and the two additional community cards; (g) resolving the Ante wager, the Blind wager, and if placed, the Flop wager and the River wager according to a poker rank of the player hand versus a poker rank of the dealer hand; and (h) resolving the Two-Way wager according to the poker rank of one of the player hand or the dealer hand against a scale.”

“A method of playing a house-banked casino card game, the method comprising: (a) receiving at least a competition wager and a proposition wager from a player; (b) dealing player cards to the player and dealer cards to a dealer; (c) dealing at least one community card to a center card area; (d) after step (c), providing the player with a first option to increase the competition wager; (e) after step (d), dealing at least one additional community card; (f) after step (e), providing the player with a second option to increase the competition wager, wherein a player hand includes cards selected from the player cards, the at least one community card, and the at least one additional community card, and wherein the dealer hand includes cards selected from the dealer cards, the at least one community card, and the at least one additional community card; (g) resolving the competition wager according to a poker rank of the player hand versus a poker rank of the dealer hand; and (h) resolving the proposition wager according to the poker rank of one of the player hand or the dealer hand against a scale.”

“A method of playing a house-banked casino Texas Hold'Em card game, the method comprising: (a) receiving compulsory wagers from each player; (b) dealing two cards to each player and a dealer in rotation; (c) dealing five community cards in a Flop round and a River round; (d) providing additional wagering options after the Flop round and after the River round, wherein no additional wagers are required for the players to stay in the game; and (e) resolving the compulsory wagers and any additional wagers according to game rules, wherein all against dealer wagers in play give 1 to 1 symmetrical action.”

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that Applicant's claimed invention is not disclosed by the above-cited references.

Objects of the Present Invention are to Provide:

A poker game that is easy to learn; A poker game that is easy to play; A poker game that does not require strategy; A poker game that is attractive to players with little poker skills; A poker game that provides for bonus, bad-beat jackpot and super bad-beat jackpot payouts; A poker game that allows for social interaction; A poker game that allows for many poker hands per hour; A poker game that allows for increased casino revenue. A poker game that involves no folding of hands by the players.

FEATURES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, A method for playing a poker game involving a plurality of players P includes the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet A to create a pot; Dealing in order first and second cards face-down to each player. Dealing three flop cards face-up, a fourth turn card face-up, and a fifth river card face-up while dealing three burn cards face-down; Turning over each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five face-up cards; Paying to the player having the best poker hand the pot P times A and deducting the casino rake and the bad-beat jackpot rake.

Features of the Present Invention are Therefore that: The players are each dealt the same number of cards and bet the same single ante bet A; The poker game allows for the payment of bonuses, bad-beat jackpot amounts, and super bad-beat jackpot amounts to the players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be further appreciated from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIGS. 1 through 5 are top views of poker table 20 showing how a traditional limit Texas Holdem poker hand is played.

FIGS. 6 through 8 are top views of poker table 100 showing how the two hole-cards are dealt in the limit Texas Holdem poker hand according to the present invention.

FIGS. 9 through 11 are top views of poker table 100 showing how the five common cards are dealt in the limit Texas Holdem poker hand according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view of poker table 100 showing the various designated regions of the table according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a top view of poker table 100 showing the various designated regions of the table featuring optional bonus betting according to the present invention.

FIGS. 14 through 17 are top views of the table layout at the beginning of a tournament and up to and including the end of the tournament.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 Through 5

FIGS. 1 through 5 are top views of poker table 20 showing how a limit Texas Holdem poker hand may be played. Generally, a Limit Texas Holdem Poker Game is played by up to 10 players on an oval-shaped poker table. The casino dealer sits in the middle of one of the long sides of the table. The betting limits are set by the casino. The most popular Holdem limits are: $5/$10; $10/$20; $15/$30; $20/$40; $30/$60; and $50/$100. The first $ amount is the “big blind” amount. In $10/$20 limit Texas Holdem, the big blind is $10. The “little blind” amount is $5. During the 1st and 2nd betting rounds of a poker hand, the defined bet is $10 plus up to a possible 3 raises for a total maximum bet of $40. During the 3rd and 4th betting rounds, the defined bet is $20 plus up to a possible 3 raises for a total maximum bet of $80.

The following detailed description relates to a $10/$20 limit Texas Holdem game. Each hand of limit Texas Holdem involves several steps taken by the casino dealer and up to four betting rounds effected by the players. The order of dealing by the casino dealer and the order of betting by the players are controlled by the designated player position called the “button”. The player who is the button is designated by a round white plastic button which is physically placed in front of that player so that the casino dealer and all the other players know which player is the button.

In $10/$20 limit Texas Holdem, each player initially buys poker chips for no less than the minimum amount set by the casino (such as $100) and up to $1,000 or more at the discretion of the player or at the discretion of the casino. Each player now has a stack of chips for playing each hand of poker. Before the beginning of play (before the first hand is dealt and played), the casino dealer deals each player one card face-up in clockwise order starting with the first player to the left of the dealer. The player who is dealt the highest-ranking card face-up is designated the button for the first hand. The plastic button is then physically placed in front of that player who was dealt the highest ranking card face-up.

There are two ways by which the casino (“the house”) makes money from a poker game. In high limit Texas Holdem, the casino usually charges each player at the table a monetary amount (“time”) during each ½ hour. For example, in $10/$20 limit Texas Holdem, the time amount charged each player each ½ hour may be $5. In low limit Texas Holdem, the casino usually takes an amount (“the rake”) being a certain maximum percentage from each pot at the end of each completed poker hand. For example, in $5/$10 limit Texas Holdem, the rake may be up to a maximum of $4.

The wager options or the wager actions that a player may choose from are fold, check, call, bet or raise.

Fold means that a player does not want to meet the pending bet or raised amount. Such player surrenders his two hole-cards; and such player surrenders whatever moneys he has wagered so far up to that betting round of the poker hand.

Check means that a player does not want to bet when there is no pending bet or no pending raise amount.

Call means that a player puts into the pot the same amount as the pending bet or raised amount.

Bet means that a player bets the amount allowed during that betting round. Such bet amount may be the big blind amount or double the big blind amount depending on the betting round.

Raise means that a player bets an amount greater than the pending bet or pending raises amount. Such raise amount may be a multiple of the big blind amount or a multiple of double the big blind amount allowed during that betting round.

Side pots are created as follows. A player must either fold, check, call, bet, or raise. Such player has a certain number of chips in front of him at that time of play. If such player is not able to call the whole pending bet amount or pending raises amount; or if such player is not able to make a whole bet; or if such player is not able to make a whole raise, then the dealer creates a side pot in addition to the already existing main pot. The dealer determines the reduced amount that such player can call, bet or raise. Then the dealer places that amount into the main pot times the number of active players still remaining in the hand at that time. For example, if the all-in player has only $5 and there are 4 active players in the hand, then the dealer places $20 into the main pot. The dealer then creates the side pot from the difference that the other 3 active players further call, bet or raise. The all-in player can only win the main pot. The other 3 active players can win the main pot and/or the side pot.

Now refer to FIGS. 1 through 5 which are top views of poker table 20 showing how a limit Texas Holdem poker hand may be played. See FIG. 1. Table 20 is shown as viewed from above. The positions of casino dealer D and of players 1-10 are shown. For explanatory purposes only, it is assumed that player 5 was dealt the highest-ranking card face-up and is therefor designated the button BU for the first hand. Therefore, round white plastic button BU is physically placed in front of player 5. Before any hand of limit Texas Holdem is played, the most important questions asked by dealer D and by all the players at the table are: Which player is the button BU? Which player is the little blind LB? Which player is the big blind BB? In this example, player 5 is the dealer button BU. Player 6 is the little blind LB and places a $5 chip on the table in front of him before the first hand is dealt. Player 7 is the big blind BB and places a $10 chip on the table in front of him before the first hand is dealt.

Dealer D now knows that player 5 is the button. Dealing by dealer D and betting by players 1-10 are performed in a clockwise manner relative to player 5 who is button BU. Each hand of limit Texas Holdem comprises up to four betting rounds. The 1st H betting round is called the pre-flop betting round; the 2nd betting round is called the post-flop betting round; the 3rd betting round is called the post-turn betting round; and the 4th betting round is called the post-river betting round. Button BU remains in place throughout all betting rounds of a poker hand. Before the pre-flop betting round, player 6 (who is the little blind LB) must place a $5 chip in front of him. Player 7 (who is the big blind BB) must place a $10 chip in front of him. Players 6 and 7 have not yet been dealt any cards by dealer D. Dealer D now deals player 6 one hole-card facedown; player 7 one hole-card face-down; and so on until player (button BU) is dealt one hole-card face-down. Dealer D next deals each player a second hole-card face-down in the same clockwise order as before. Player 8 now has three options: he may call the big blind amount of $10; he may raise by the big blind amount and make the bet $20; or he may drop out of the hand and fold by surrendering his two cards to dealer D. After player 8 exercises one of his options, then it is up to player 9 to exercise one of his options, and so on until player 5 (button BU) exercises one of his options. Player 6 (the little blind LB who has already placed a $5 chip in front of him) may now exercise one of the following options. He may complete his bet to $10 by placing a second $5 chip in front of him if no one before him has raised to $20 or higher. He may call a higher bet if there was at least one raise before him. He may drop out and fold his hand by surrendering his two cards and his $5 chip. If player 6 still has an option to raise and in fact does raise, then all subsequent remaining players must either meet his raise or must fold their hands. Player 7 (the big blind BB who has already placed a $10 chip in front of him) may now exercise one of the following options. He may call if no one has raised before him by pushing his $10 chip forward. He may call a higher bet if there was at least one raise before him. He may drop out of the hand and fold by surrendering his two cards and his $10 chip if there was at least one raise before him. If player 7 still has an option to raise and in fact does raise, then all subsequent remaining players must either meet his raise or must fold their hands. The maximum number of raises allowed by the casino (usually three raises) limits the aforementioned clockwise process. Once the maximum number of raises is reached at a given player, then the subsequent remaining players may only call the prior raises or may fold their hands. The total amount or value of the chips in the middle of table 20 after this 1st or pre-flop betting round is called the pot. The monetary value of the pot is dynamic because it increases each time a player calls, bets or raises. Those players remaining in the hand after the pre-flop betting round are still active players. In this example, the remaining active players after the pre-flop betting round are players 6, 7, 9, 1, 3 and 4 in clockwise order relative to button BU. Players 8, 10, 2 and 5 folded (dropped out of the hand) and are inactive players during the rest of the hand. See FIG. 2.

After the 1st or pre-flop betting round is complete, dealer D burns a card B1 face-down and places it on the table to his left or right. Dealer D next places three cards F1, F2 and F3 face-up on the center of the table in front of him. These three cards are called the flop cards. The remaining active players in the hand now commence the 2nd or post-flop betting round. During the post-flop betting round, player 6 may check by not betting or may bet $10. Player 7 may check if and only if player 6 checked, or may call $10 if player 6 bet $10, or may raise to $20 if player 6 bet $10, or may fold if player 6 bet $10. Player 9 may exercise one of the same options as player 7, and so on by players 1 and 3 until player 4 exercises one of his options. If player 4 still has an option to raise and in fact does raise, then players 6, 7, 9, 1 and 3 must meet the raise or must fold. Again, the maximum number of raises allowed by the casino limits the aforementioned clockwise process. Once the maximum number of raises is reached by a given remaining active player, then the subsequent remaining active players may only call or fold. The total amount or value of the chips in the middle of the table after this 2nd or post-flop betting round is the new pot amount. Those players remaining in the hand after the post-flop betting round are active players. In this example, the remaining active players after the post-flop betting round are players 6, 9, 1 and 3 in clockwise order relative to button BU. Players 7 and 4 folded (dropped out of the hand) and are now inactive players during the rest of the hand. See FIG. 3.

After the 2nd or post-flop betting round is complete, dealer D burns another card B2 face-down and places it on the table next to or on top burn card B1. Dealer D then deals another card TU face-up and places it on the table in line to the right of flop cards F1, F2 and F3. The remaining active players (6, 9, 1, and 3) now commence the 3rd or post-turn betting round. During the post-turn betting round, player 6 may check by betting no amount or may bet $20. Player 9 may check if and only if player 6 checked, or may call $20 if player 6 bet $20, or may raise to $40 if player 6 bet $20, or may fold his hand if player 6 bet $20. Player 1 may exercise the same options as player 9, and so on until player 3 exercises one of his options. If player 3 raises, then players 6, 9, and 1 must either meet the raise or must fold. Again, the maximum number of raises allowed by the casino limits this clockwise process. Once the maximum number of raises is reached at a given player, then the subsequent remaining players may only call or fold. The total amount or value of the chips in the middle of the table after this 3rd or post-turn betting round is the new pot amount. Those players remaining in the hand after the post-turn betting round are active players. In this example, the remaining active players after the post-turn betting round are players 6, 1 and 3 in clockwise order relative to button BU. Player 9 folded (dropped out of the hand) and is now an inactive player during the rest of the hand. See FIG. 4.

After the 3rd or post-turn betting round is complete, dealer D burns another card B3 face-down and places it on the table next to or top of burn cards B1 and B2. Dealer D then deals another card RI face-up and places it on the table in line with and to the right of cards F1, F2, F3 and TU. The remaining active players (6, 1, 3) in the hand now commence the 4th or post-river betting round. During the post-river betting round, player 6 may check by betting no amount or may bet $20. Player 1 may check if and only if player 6 checked, or may call $20 if player 6 bet $20, or may raise to $40 if player 6 bet $20, or may fold if player 6 bet $20. Player 3 may exercise one of the same options as player 1. If player 3 raises, then players 6 and 1 must either meet the raise or must fold their hands. Again, the maximum number of raises allowed by the casino limits the aforementioned clockwise process. Once the maximum number of raises is reached at a given remaining active player, then the subsequent remaining active players may only call or fold. The total amount or value of the chips in the middle of the table after this 4th or post-river betting round is the final pot amount. Those players remaining in the hand after the post-river betting round are active players. In this example, the remaining active players after the post-river betting round are players 6, 1 and 3 in clockwise order relative to button BU. See FIG. 5.

After the 4th or post-river betting round is complete, each remaining active player (6, 1, 3) in clockwise order relative to button B must expose his two cards face-up. Then, upon exposing his two cards face-up, each player must declare to the dealer and to the other players the best poker hand that his two cards make in combination with the five face-up cards F1, F2, F3, TU and RI in the middle of the table. In most casinos, the dealer must read and declare out loud the best poker hand made by each player. In many cases, a player will not expose his two cards because such player concedes to himself that his best poker hand does not beat the other exposed poker hands. After all the players' cards are exposed and after all the best poker hands are declared, then the dealer declares the winner or winners of the main pot and of any side pots. If two or more players make the same best poker hand, then the main pot and/or any side pots are split between/among such winning players.

Poker Hands are Ranked as Follows:

Royal straight flush such a 10 Jack Queen King Ace all of Spades or all Hearts or all Diamonds or all Clubs. Straight flush such as Eight Nine Ten Jack Queen all of Spades or all Hearts or all Diamonds or all Clubs. Four of a kind such as fours Aces or four Kings. Full house such as three Aces plus two Kings. Flush such as two five seven nine jack all of Spades or all Hearts or all Diamonds or all Clubs. Straight such as four five six seven eight of different suits. Three of a kind only such as ace ace ace. Two pair such as ace ace plus two two. One pair only such as ace ace. High card only such as ace of Spades or Hearts or Diamonds or Clubs.

FIGS. 6 Through 8

FIGS. 6 through 8 are top views of poker table 100 showing how the two hole-cards are dealt face-down by dealer D in this limit Texas Holdem poker hand according to the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 6 is a top view of poker table 100 showing dealer D and players P1 through P8 in their respective positions at the table before the hand is played. FIG. 6 also shows that player P4 is designated the Button position B before the hand is played. Finally, FIG. 6 also shows that each player P1 through P8 has placed his single ante bet A in front of him before the hand is played.

Further, FIG. 7 is a top view of poker table 100 showing dealer D and players P1 though P8 in their respective positions at the table each player having been dealt by the dealer their respective first hole-card C1 face-down. In this example, player 5 is dealt first by the dealer because player 4 is designated the button B position. Thereafter, the clockwise dealing sequence effected by dealer D is players P6, P7, P8, P1, P2, P3 and P4.

Still further, FIG. 8 is a top view of poker table 100 showing dealer D and players P1 though P8 in their respective positions at the table each player having been dealt by the dealer their respective first and second hole-cards C1 C2 face-down. Card C2 is dealt by dealer D in the same clockwise sequence stated above.

FIGS. 9 Through 11

FIGS. 9 through 11 are top views of poker table 100 showing how the five common or community cards are dealt face-up by dealer D in this limit Texas Holdem poker hand according to the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 9 shows the first burn card B1 face-down plus the three flop cards F1 F2 F3 face-up. Dealer D first deals burn card B1 face-down and then he deals the three flop cards F1 F2 F3 face-up.

Further, FIG. 10 shows the first burn card B1 face-down, the second burn card B2 face-down, the three flop cards F1 F2 F3 face-up, and the turn card T face-up. Dealer D first deals burn card B2 face-down and then he deals the turn card T face-up. Still further, FIG. 11 shows the first burn card B1 face-down, the second burn card B2 face-down, the third burn card B3 face-down, the three flop cards F1 F2 F3 face-up, the turn card T face-up, and the river card R face-up. Dealer D first deals burn card B3 face-down and then he deals the river card R face-up.

At this point at the end of the dealing, each player turns over his respective two hole-cards C1 C2 face-up. Each player may now declare his best poker hand utilizing his two cards C1 C2 face-up plus the five common or community cards F1 F2 F3 T R. Dealer D then confirms the best poker hand of each player. The dealer then pays out the combined antes totaling 8 times A to the respective winning player and/or players after deducting the casino or house rake amount and the bad-beat jackpot rake amount as hereinafter described.

FIG. 12

FIG. 12 is a top view of poker table 100 showing the various designated regions of the table according to the present invention. FIG. 12 shows players P1 through P8 seated in front of their assigned positions on the table. For illustrative purposes only, in front of player P1 is his designated circular region or area in which player P1 places his ante bet A before all cards C1C2 are dealt by dealer D to all the players. For illustrative purposes only, also in front of player P1 is designated square region or area 1 in which player P1 places his two hole-cards face down after all cards C1C2 are dealt by dealer D to all the players. The same explanation applies to all other players P2 to P8 with respect to their respectively assigned designated circular regions or areas and assigned square regions or areas. For illustrative purposes only, FIG. 12 also shows designated square regions or areas 9-10-11 in front of dealer D wherein the dealer places the initial three flop cards F1 F2 F3 face-up. Also shown is designated square region or area 12 wherein the dealer places the turn card T face-up. Also shown is designated square region or area 13 wherein the dealer places the river card R face-up.

FIG. 13

FIG. 13 is a top view of poker table 100 showing the various designated regions of the table featuring optional bonus betting according to the present invention. FIG. 13 shows players P1 through P8 seated in front of their assigned positions on the table. For illustrative purposes only, in front of player P1 is his designated circular region or area in which player P1 places his ante bet A before all cards C1C2 are dealt by dealer D to all the players. For illustrative purposes only, also in front of player P1 is designated square region or area 1 in which player P1 places his two hole-cards face down after all cards C1C2 are dealt by dealer D to all the players. The same explanation applies to all other players P2 to P8 with respect to their respectively assigned designated circular regions or areas and assigned square regions or areas. For illustrative purposes only, FIG. 13 also shows designated square regions or areas 9-10-11 in front of dealer D wherein the dealer places the initial three flop cards F1 F2 F3 face-up. Also shown is designated square region or area 12 wherein the dealer places the turn card T face-up. Also shown is designated square region or area 13 wherein the dealer places the river card R face-up. For illustrative purposes only, also shown in front of each player P1 to P8 is a triangular area for placing the optional bonus bet before all cards are dealt to all the players.

FIGS. 14 Through 17

FIGS. 14 through 17 are top views of the table layout at the beginning of a tournament and up to and including the end of the tournament. In FIG. 14, the tournament commences with tables T1 through T8 wherein each table may start full with P(max) players. Some tables may have to start short-handed with P(max)−1 players. P(max) may be up to ten players. Each player P commences with sufficient ante chips to survive three betting rounds of P(max) hands per round by posting antes of A(1), A(2 and A(3). A(3) may be a multiple of A(2); and A(2) may be a multiple of A(1). In FIG. 15, for example, the tournament tables have depleted to four tables after the initial three betting rounds because some of the players have lost all their ante chips. In FIG. 16, for example, the tournament tables have depleted to two tables because more players have lost all their initial ante chips. In FIG. 17, for example, the tournament tables have depleted to one final table T1 at which table the final winner is determined because all the other players have lost all their starting ante chips.

Features of the Present Invention are:

A method for playing a poker tournament involving a plurality of tables T and a plurality of players P(T) up to P(max) players at each such table, said method comprising the steps of:

At each table, commencing the first hand of the first round of play by each starting player placing the same first-ante bet A(1) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to the first designated player and then to each subsequent player; Dealing in order a second card face-down to such first designated first player and then to each subsequent player; Dealing five cards face-up by Dealing a first burn card face-down, Dealing three cards face-up, Dealing a second burn card face-down, Dealing a fourth card face-up, Dealing a third burn card face-down, and Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the first round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the first round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player;

At each table, commencing the first hand of the second round of play by each player placing the same second-ante bet A(2) being a multiple of A(1) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to such first designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the second round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the second round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player;

At each table, commencing the first hand of the third round of play by each player placing the same third-ante bet A(3) being a multiple of A(2) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to such first designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the third round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the third round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player.

For commencing play in the tournament, each player may be provided with the starting amount of chips being equal to P(max) times [A(1)+A(2)+A(3)].

A(3) may be twice A(2); and A(2) may be twice A(1).

Each player participating in the tournament may be given sufficient starting chips to survive three betting rounds.

At each table, commencing the first hand of the Nth round of play wherein N is greater than 3 by each remaining player placing the same ante bet A(N) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the Nth designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the Nth round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the Nth round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player;

At the end of the Nth round of play, totaling the number of players remaining at the tables; and substantially equally distributing the remaining players amongst the tables.

After the Nth round of play, assigning no fewer than 6 of the remaining players to any table and assigning no more than 10 of the remaining players to any table.

Ante bet A(N) may be twice ante bet A(N−1).

Declaring the winner of the tournament should there be only one player remaining at the end of any hand during said Nth round of play being greater than the third round of play.

A method for playing a poker tournament involving one table and a plurality of players P at such table, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   commencing the first hand of the first round of play by each         starting player placing the same first-ante bet A(1) to create a         pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to the first         designated player and then to each subsequent player; Dealing in         order a second card face-down to such first designated player         and then to each subsequent player; Dealing five cards face-up         by Dealing a first burn card face-down, Dealing three cards         face-up, Dealing a second burn card face-down, Dealing a fourth         card face-up, Dealing a third burn card face-down, and Dealing a         fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective two dealt         cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two         dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying         the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing         the second hand of the first round of play by dealing a first         card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next         designated player and to each subsequent player as         aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned;         paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and         commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the first         round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is         the next designated player;     -   commencing the first hand of the second round of play by each         player placing the same second-ante bet A(2) being a multiple of         A(1) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down         and then a second card face-down to such first designated player         and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five         cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's         respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for         each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards         face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker         hand; commencing the second hand of the second round of play by         dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down         to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as         aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned;         paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and         commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the second         round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is         the next designated player;     -   commencing the first hand of the third round of play by each         player placing the same third-ante bet A(3) being a multiple of         A(2) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down         and then a second card face-down to such first designated player         and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five         cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's         respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for         each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards         face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker         hand; commencing the second hand of the third round of play by         dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down         to the next designated first player and to each subsequent         player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as         aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best         poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand         of the third round of play as aforementioned until each         subsequent player is the next designated player.     -   commencing the first hand of the Nth round of play wherein N is         greater than 3 by each remaining player placing the same Nth         ante bet A(N) to create a pot, A(N) being a multiple of A(3);         Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card         face-down to the Nth designated player and to each subsequent         player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as         aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt         cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two         dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying         the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing         the second hand of the Nth round of play by dealing a first card         face-down and then a second card face-down to the next         designated player and to each subsequent player as         aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned;         paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and         commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the Nth round         of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the         next designated player;

Each player is provided with the amount of chips for play in the tournament being equal to P times [A(1) plus A(2) plus A(3)].

Declaring the winner of the tournament should there be only one player remaining at the end of any hand during said Nth round being after the third round.

Ante bet A(N) may twice ante bet A(N−1).

FURTHER OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES AND FEATURES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The poker game of the present invention may accommodate up to 10 players at the table. Limiting the game from 2 to 8 players instead of 10 players may make the bad-beat jackpot harder to hit per table, thereby allowing the bad-beat jackpot prize pool to get higher before it is hit. When the bad-beat jackpot pool gets to be over $100,000, it may draw more players to the table. Limiting the game from 2 to 8 players instead of 10 players may also make the $1,000,000 super bad-beat jackpot harder to hit, thereby making it less expensive to insure.

Limiting the game to 8 players may also mean that more hands may be dealt per hour per table and that more tables may be opened up and filled up more quickly.

Limiting the game to 8 players instead of 10 players may also allow the casino to use a smaller “clamshell” type table to save room on the casino floor. The tables may look like a poker room table and may be lower to the ground so that players may sit on chairs with their feet on the ground. This may allow onlookers to comfortably watch the game in progress. The casino may utilize a green cotton/polyester blend fabric AKA casino speedcloth on the top of the table.

Bridge-size plastic playing cards may be used as in regular poker room games.

Each hand may be raked at 5% of the pot up to a $10 maximum rake with a minimum rake of $1. If the pot is not in a multiple of $20 then the rake may be rounded up to the next dollar. For example, if the pot is $25, then the rake may be $2. There may also be a $1 drop for the bad-beat jackpot no matter what the size of the pot is. These rake rates may apply to land based casinos. On cruise ship casinos, the cruise line operator may adjust the rake rates to manipulate the house edge percentages any way it desires.

There is no big blind and no small blind posted by the players. Players only ante EXACTLY the table ante A and place it in the ante circle in front of their seat. The ante A may be any of the following: $5, $10, $15, $20, $25 or any amount in increments of $5. If the ante A requires more than one chip then each player is required to place his chips in the circle flat and next to each other so that the dealer may easily determine that each player has anted the correct amount (as opposed to stacking the chips on top of each another in which case each ante A would have to be counted down every single hand by the dealer thereby slowing down the game). There may be no minimum buy-in for a player to sit down and play.

The dealer may then deal 2 cards face-down to each player (starting with the player to the left of the player with the dealer button). There is no betting other than the ante A. If any card is exposed during the course of dealing out the cards to any player, then the exposed card IS NOT replaced, nor will the hand be declared a mis-deal. Since there are no actual betting decisions to be made, an exposed card is irrelevant.

After the deal, the players look at their starting two cards (if they choose to) and then may place their two cards face-down in the square in front of them next to their ante circle. The dealer then burns a card and deals out a 3-card flop of community cards in the center of the table marked off by a rectangle to place the cards in. The dealer then burns another card and turns a 4^(th) card, placing it in the appropriate box for the 4^(th) card. The dealer then burns another card and deals a 5^(th) card, placing it in the appropriate box for the 5^(th) card. There is NO BETTING during the course of the hand. There may be a 5-second or so delay in between the flop and the 4^(th) card and another 5-second or so delay in between the 4^(th) and 5^(th) cards to create excitement as the players determine what hand they have made and what cards they need to make their best poker hand.

The dealer then says “Showdown” and instructs the players to turn their two cards over and place them face-up back into their card square in front of them. The players' cards “speak for themselves” no matter what the player claims to have. The dealer then determines who has the best poker hand and awards the pot to the player with the best poker hand (minus the house rake as determined above and minus $1 for the bad-beat jackpot as explained below).

If two or more players end up with the same best poker hand, then the pot will be split equally (minus the house rake and minus the bad-beat jackpot drop) between or among the players with the same best poker hand. If there are any odd chips left over, then the first extra chip is awarded to the player holding a Spade in his winning best poker hand. The next extra chip (if any) is then awarded to the player with a Heart in his winning best poker hand; then to the Diamond; and lastly to the Club. If the board plays (in which case no player has a best poker hand better than the board poker hand), then the extra chips are awarded to the player with the highest Spade in their two hole-cards. If no one has a spade then to the highest Heart, then to the highest Diamond, and then to the highest Club.

The Bad-beat jackpot rake is $1 per hand from the pot. (Not from each player). The casino may seed the bad-beat jackpot with $5,000 to get it started. This amount will be recouped as the bad-beat jackpot drops accumulate. A bad-beat occurs when a player loses holding a minimum hand of 4 of a kind or a straight flush (while holding a pocket pair or 2 suited cards that both play in the straight flush) and losing to a higher 4 of a kind (with the other player holding a pocket pair as well) or losing to a straight flush (with the other player's 2 hole-cards both playing in the straight flush). Payouts for the bad-beat jackpot may be as follows: The player with the qualifying hand that loses the hand may get up to 50% of the total bad-beat jackpot prize pool. The player with the qualifying hand that wins the hand may get up to 25% of the total bad-beat jackpot prize pool. The remaining players in the hand at that table may divide up the remainder of the bad-beat jackpot prize pool. On the other hand, the casino may allow all the players in the casino playing the game of the present invention in the remainder of the bad-beat jackpot prize pool.

When a player sits out of any hand from any position on the table, then such player gets a large “missed hand button” that is the same size as the ante circle and is placed in their ante circle to indicate that they did not play the hand.

70% of each $1 dropped for the bad-beat jackpot may go towards the current bad-beat jackpot; 20% of each $1 dropped may be carried forward to seed the next bad-beat jackpot after the current one is hit; and 10% may go towards insuring the $1,000,000 Super Bad-beat Jackpot (through Lloyds of London or another insurer carrier); and whatever is left over may go to the casino (the house) for “administrative” fees. This % breakdown may be subject to revision by the casino.

A $1,000,000 Super Bad-beat Jackpot may be awarded if anyone loses with 4 aces while holding 2 aces as a pocket pair to a Royal Flush in the suit of SPADES with the other player holding 2 cards that comprise the spades royal flush. The payout may be as follows: The player with the spade royal flush may win up to $500,000. The player with the 4 aces may win up to $250,000. The remaining players at the table may equally divide up the remainder. All payouts may be paid out over 20 years in the form of an annuity. The requirements to be eligible for a “table sitter” share are the same as they are for the regular bad-beat jackpot.

The odds of the $1,000,000 Super Bad-beat Jackpot being hit are as follows:

-   -   8-handed: about 62,768,380 to 1     -   7-handed: about 83,678,528 to 1     -   6-handed: about 117,132,240 to 1     -   5-handed: about 175,671,816 to 1     -   4-handed: about 292,742,136 to 1     -   3-handed: about 585,395,848 to 1     -   2-handed: about 1,755,922,348 to 1

Use of an automatic card shuffler. A three-deck shuffling unit may be ideal when the game is short handed so that the hands may play quickly. While a player may not want the pace of play to get too fast, a player may also not want the pace of play to come to a halt while waiting for the cards to shuffle. About one hand per minute (perhaps one hand per 45 seconds when short handed) may be ideal. This would allow for a comfortable pace of play. The dealer may hand-shuffle when there are fewer than 5 players since the shuffle machine may take about 50 seconds and would slow down the pace of play too much.

The $1 drop for the bad-beat jackpot may allow the house to know EXACTLY how many hands have been dealt because $1 is dropped for the bad-beat jackpot every single hand no matter how many players are in the hand.

The way that the rake is designed means that almost every pot ends up with some $1 chips in it. This is ideal for creating chips for tipping the dealer, thereby keeping the dealers happy and not slowing the game down too often to make change after the pot is awarded.

The floor-person in charge may try to maintain the tables with an equal number of players so that the table with the fewest players may get the next new player if more than one table is running. But any player may sit at any table they so desire. Also, the floor person may allow players who want to play together to sit at the same table if they so desire, even if the tables have an equal number of players. People may be much more likely to play if they can sit and play with their friends or spouse.

Comps for the players may be $1 per hour for every $10 of ante.

An alternative $1,000,000/$5,000,000 Super Bad-beat Jackpot payout may be as follows: Quad 2's losing to a Royal Flush for a $1,000,000 payout the same way as above. The odds of this happening may be about 128,767,639-to-1 in a 10-handed game. The odds may about 200,000,000 to 1 in an 8-handed game. Quad 2's losing to a Royal Flush in Spades may qualify for a $5,000,000 pay out the same way as above. The odds of this happening are about 515,070,556 to 1 in a 10-handed game. The odds in an 8-handed game are about 800,000,000 to 1.

Free Bonus Payouts: There is no extra side bet required, nor is there any extra rake taken out of the pot for these free bonus payouts when a player makes a straight, a flush, a full-house, four of a kind, a straight flush, or a royal flush.

Bonus Payout Schedule A. This is suggested if there is not going to be a $1 side-bet bonus payout schedule.

-   -   $100 bonus for making 4 of a kind (flopping quads) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair.     -   $500 bonus for making 4 aces (flopping quads aces) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair of aces.     -   $125 bonus for making any straight flush. (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $500 bonus for making a straight flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed, while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the straight flush.     -   $1,000 bonus for making any royal flush (with either one or both         hole-cards playing).     -   $2,500 bonus for making a royal flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the royal flush.

Bonus Payout Schedule B. This Free Bonus Payout Schedule is designed to be used in conjunction with a $1 side bet Bonus Multiplier. See below for the $1 side bet bonus payout schedule B1.

-   -   $25 bonus for making 4 of a kind (flopping quads) after only the         first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket pair.     -   $150 bonus for making 4 aces (flopping quads aces) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair of aces.     -   $25 bonus for making any straight flush. (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $150 bonus for making a straight flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed, while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the straight flush.     -   $200 bonus for making any royal flush (with either one or both         hole-cards playing).     -   $2,500 bonus for making a royal flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the royal flush.

This is the $1 side bet Bonus Payout Schedule B1:

-   -   $5 for making any flush.     -   $10 for making any full house.     -   $50 bonus for making any 4 of a kind.     -   $250 bonus for making 4 of a kind (flopping quads) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair.     -   $1,500 bonus for making 4 aces (flopping quads aces) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair of aces.     -   $250 bonus for making any straight flush (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $1,500 bonus for making a straight flush (flopping it) after         only the first 3 community cards are exposed, while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the straight flush.     -   $2,000 bonus for making any royal flush (with either one or both         hole-cards playing).     -   $25,000 bonus for making a royal flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the royal flush.

Total Payouts Per 649,730 Hands Dealt: about 39,064 (or about 16.63 to 1); Total Money paid out: about $509,879; House Edge: about 21.52%. The house edge may be slightly smaller if the bonus is to be paid out on straight flushes and royal flushes when they make up the board.

Advantages: It will pay out many more times thereby giving the players some kind of a payback about once every 16 hands or so. The House edge is about 21.52% which will almost eliminate the possibility of the house ever losing money over a large sampling of hands even in the event of an abnormal standard deviation. The House pays out a very small % of profits in the form of “Free Bonuses”, thereby making the house edge higher on the regular playing of the game.

This is Bonus Payout Schedule C. This Free Bonus Payout Schedule is designed to be used in conjunction with a $1 side bet Bonus Multiplier. See below for the $1 side bet bonus payout schedule C1, C2 & C3.

-   -   $100 bonus for making 4 of a kind (flopping quads) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair.     -   $500 bonus for making 4 aces (flopping quads aces) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair of aces.     -   $50 bonus for making any straight flush. (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $500 bonus for making a straight flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed, while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the straight flush.     -   $1,000 bonus for making any royal flush (with either one or both         hole-cards playing).     -   $2,500 bonus for making a royal flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the royal flush.

This is the $1 side bet Bonus Payout Schedule C1. It uses a 5× multiplier except that is uses a 10× multiplier for flopping a Royal Flush and it also pays out for any 4 of a kind and any full house. It does not pay out for making any flushes.

-   -   $10 for making any full house.     -   $50 bonus for making any 4 of a kind.     -   $500 bonus for making 4 of a kind (flopping quads) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair.     -   $2,500 bonus for making 4 aces (flopping quads aces) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair of aces.     -   $250 bonus for making any straight flush. (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $2,500 bonus for making a straight flush (flopping it) after         only the first 3 community cards are exposed, while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the straight flush.     -   $5,000 bonus for making any royal flush (with either one or both         hole-cards playing).     -   $25,000 bonus for making a royal flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the royal flush.

Total Payouts Per 649,730 Hands Dealt: about 18,823 (or about 34.52 to 1); Total Money paid out: about $508,307; House Edge: about 21.77%.

Advantages: It will pay out many more times to give the players some kind of a payback about once every 35 hands or so. The House Edge is about 21.77% which will almost eliminate the possibility of the house ever losing money on this over a large sampling of hands even in the event of an abnormal standard deviation.

This is the $1 side bet Bonus Payout Schedule C2. It uses a straight 10× multiplier of the Free Bonus Payout Schedule C. It does not pay out for making any flushes, full houses or 4 of a kinds that are not flopped.

-   -   $1,000 bonus for making 4 of a kind (flopping quads) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair.     -   $5,000 bonus for making 4 aces (flopping quads aces) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair of aces.     -   $500 bonus for making any straight flush. (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $5,000 bonus for making a straight flush (flopping it) after         only the first 3 community cards are exposed, while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the straight flush.     -   $10,000 bonus for making any royal flush (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $25,000 bonus for making a royal flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the royal flush.

Total Payouts Per 649,730 Hands Dealt: about 403 (or about 1,613 to 1); Total Money paid out: about $535,710; House Edge: about 17.55%.

Advantages: The winners of any bonus would be very obvious so it would not slow the game down. The bonus payouts for these hands are twice as big as the 5× multiplier.

This is the $1 side bet Bonus Payout Schedule C3. This is a straight 5× multiplier of Bonus Payout Schedule C. It also includes payouts for any 4 of a kind, any full house and any flush.

-   -   $5 for making any flush.     -   $10 for making any full house.     -   $50 bonus for making any 4 of a kind.     -   $500 bonus for making 4 of a kind (flopping quads) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair.     -   $2,500 bonus for making 4 aces (flopping quads aces) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding a pocket         pair of aces.     -   $250 bonus for making any straight flush. (with either one or         both hole-cards playing).     -   $2,500 bonus for making a straight flush (flopping it) after         only the first 3 community cards are exposed, while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the straight flush.     -   $5,000 bonus for making any royal flush (with either one or both         hole-cards playing).     -   $12,500 bonus for making a royal flush (flopping it) after only         the first 3 community cards are exposed while holding both         hole-cards that help make up the royal flush.

Total Payouts Per 649,730 Hands Dealt: about 39,064 (or about 16.63 to 1); Total Money paid out: about $597,011; House Edge: about 8.11%.

Advantages: It will pay out many more times to give the players some kind of a payback about once every 16 hands or so.

The alternative $1,000,000 Super Bad-beat Jackpot would be awarded to anyone who loses to a Royal Flush when holding four deuces. So, the board must have a pair of deuces and three cards to a royal flush such as Ah-2c-Jh-2s-10h

There are about 240 boards similar to that above shown which may allow both quad deuces and a royal flush, out of about 2,598,960 possible, a probability of about 0.000092, or about 10,828-to-1 against. [p=C(4,2)*C(5,3)*4/C(52,5)]. The players' twenty cards must have among them the other two deuces and the two royal flush cards, 2d-2h-Kh-Qh, a probability of about 0.02716, or 36-to-1 against. [p=C(43,16)/C(47,20)]

Two of the ten players must hold those four cards in their hands, a probability of about 0.000619, or about 107-to-1 against. [p=3!!*15!!/19!!]

Those four key cards could be dealt Kh-2h and Qh-2d, Kh-2d and Qh-2h, or Kh-Qh and 2h-2d. Only one combination wins the jackpot, so that event has a probability of ⅓.

Multiply those probabilities and the hand odds are about 128,767,639-to-1 against anyone at the table losing to a Royal Flush while holding quad deuces. For any one person in particular, in a ten-handed game, the odds are ten times larger, more than a billion-to-1 against.

Omaha Poker

The principles of the present invention may be applied to the poker game called “Omaha poker” wherein each player is dealt four hole-cards C1 C2 C3 C4 face-down. In such case, each player may use only two of their respective four dealt hole-cards C1 C2 C3 C4 to make the best poker hand in combination with three of the five community cards F1 F2 F3 T R. The best player hand may be paid out as stated above.

Pineapple Poker

The principles of the present invention may be applied to the poker game called “Pineapple poker” wherein each player is dealt three hole-cards C1 C2 C3 face-down. In such case, each player may use only two of the three dealt hole-cards C1 C2 C3 to make the best poker hand in combination with the five community cards F1 F2 F3 T R. The best player hand may be paid out as stated above.

While the present invention has been described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other embodiments and modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the disclosed principle. 

1. A method for playing a poker game involving a plurality of players, said method comprising the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to each player; Dealing in order a second card face-down to each player; Dealing a first burn card face-down; Dealing three cards face-up; Dealing a second burn card face-down; Dealing a fourth card face-up; Dealing a third burn card face-down; Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up.
 2. In the method of claim 1, paying to the player who has the best poker hand, the pot minus the casino rake and minus the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 3. In the method of claim 1, paying to the players who have the same best poker hand, an equal share of the pot after deducting the casino rake and the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 4. In the method of claim 1, paying to the player who makes a poker hand of four-of-a-kind or a straight flush using his two dealt cards in combination with two or three of the five cards face-up, up to one-half of the bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to the player who makes a better poker hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal straight flush using his two dealt cards in combination with two or three of the five cards face-up, a minority of the bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to each other player in the hand an equal share of the remainder of the bad-beat jackpot pool.
 5. In the method of claim 1, paying to each player, an equal share of the pot after deducting the house rake and the bad-beat jackpot rake, should the five cards face-up display a poker hand that is better than any player's best poker hand.
 6. In the method of claim 1, paying to the player who makes a poker hand of four aces using his two dealt ace cards in combination with two of the five cards face-up, a minority of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to the player who makes a poker hand of a royal straight flush in spades using his two dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up, up to one-half of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to each other player in the hand an equal share of the remainder of the super bad-beat jackpot.
 7. In the method of claim 1, in a casino setting, utilizing manual hand shuffling whenever there are two to five players in the hand.
 8. In the method of claim 1, in a casino setting, utilizing a shuffling machine whenever there are six to ten players in the hand.
 9. In the method of claim 6, utilizing an insurance carrier to insure the super bad-beat jackpot pool.
 10. In the method of claim 1, paying to the player who makes a poker hand of four deuces using his two deuces dealt cards in combination with two of the five cards face-up, a minority of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to the player who makes a poker hand of a royal straight flush in spades using his two dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up, up to one-half of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to each other player in the hand an equal share of the remainder of the super bad-beat jackpot pool.
 11. In the method of claim 10, utilizing an insurance carrier to insure the super bad-beat jackpot pool.
 12. In the method of claim 1, paying a pre-determined free bonus to the player who makes a hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush using his two dealt cards in combination with the first three cards face-up.
 13. In the method of claim 1, paying a pre-determined free bonus to the player who makes a poker hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush aces using his two dealt cards in combination with two or three of the five cards face-up.
 14. In the method of claim 1, paying a pre-determined free bonus to the player who makes a poker hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush using only one of his two dealt cards in combination with four of the five cards face-up.
 15. In the method of claim 1, paying a pre-determined bonus to the player who places an optional same single side bet and who makes a poker hand of a straight, a flush or a full-house using his two dealt cards in combination with the first three cards face-up.
 16. In the method of claim 1, paying a pre-determined bonus to the player who places an optional same single side bet and who makes a poker hand of a straight, a flush or a full-house using his two dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up.
 17. A method of playing a poker game involving a plurality of players comprising the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to each player; Dealing in order a second card face-down to each player; Dealing in order a third card face-down to each player; Dealing a first burn card face-down; Dealing three cards face-up; Dealing a second burn card face-down; Dealing a fourth card face-up; Dealing a third burn card face-down; Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective three dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two of his three dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; Paying to the player having the best poker hand, the pot minus the casino rake and minus the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 18. A method of playing a poker game involving a plurality of players comprising the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to each player; Dealing in order a second card face-down to each player; Dealing in order a third card face-down to each player; Dealing in order a fourth card face-down to each player; Dealing a first burn card face-down; Dealing three cards face-up; Dealing a second burn card face-down; Dealing a fourth card face-up; Dealing a third burn card face-down; Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective four dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two of his four dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up; Paying to the player having the best poker hand, the pot minus the casino rake and minus the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 19. A method for playing a poker game involving a plurality of players, said method comprising the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to each player, and then a second card face-down to each player; Dealing three cards face-up; Dealing a fourth card face-up; Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up.
 20. In the method of claim 19, paying to the player who has the best poker hand the pot minus the casino rake and minus the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 21. In the method of claim 19, paying to the players who have the same best poker hand an equal share of the pot after deducting the casino rake and the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 22. In the method of claim 19, paying to the player who makes a poker hand of four-of-a-kind or a straight flush using his two dealt cards in combination with two or three of the five cards face-up, up to one-half of the bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to the player who makes a better poker hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal straight flush using his two dealt cards in combination with two or three of the five cards face-up, a minority of the bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to each other player in the hand an equal share of the remainder of the bad-beat jackpot pool.
 23. In the method of claim 19, paying to each player, an equal share of the pot after deducting the house rake and the bad-beat jackpot rake, should the five cards face-up display a poker hand that is better than any player's best poker hand.
 24. In the method of claim 19, paying to the player who makes a poker hand of four aces using his two dealt ace cards in combination with two of the five cards face-up, a minority of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to the player who makes a poker hand of a royal straight flush in spades using his two dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up, up to one-half of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to each other player in the hand an equal share of the remainder of the super bad-beat jackpot.
 25. In the method of claim 19, in a casino setting, utilizing manual hand shuffling whenever there are two to five players in the hand.
 26. In the method of claim 19, in a casino setting, utilizing a shuffling machine whenever there are six to ten players in the hand.
 27. In the method of claim 24, utilizing an insurance carrier to insure the super bad-beat jackpot pool.
 28. In the method of claim 19, paying to the player who makes a poker hand of four deuces using his two deuces dealt cards in combination with two of the five cards face-up, a minority of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to the player who makes a poker hand of a royal straight flush in spades using his two dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up, up to one-half of the super bad-beat jackpot pool; Paying to each other player in the hand an equal share of the remainder of the super bad-beat jackpot pool.
 29. In the method of claim 28, utilizing an insurance carrier to insure the super bad-beat jackpot pool.
 29. In the method of claim 19, paying a pre-determined free bonus to the player who makes a hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush using his two dealt cards in combination with the first three cards face-up.
 30. In the method of claim 19, paying a pre-determined free bonus to the player who makes a poker hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush aces using his two dealt cards in combination with two or three of the five cards face-up.
 31. In the method of claim 19, paying a pre-determined free bonus to the player who makes a poker hand of four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush using only one of his two dealt cards in combination with four of the five cards face-up.
 32. In the method of claim 19, paying a pre-determined free bonus to the player who places an optional same single side bet and who makes a poker hand of a straight, a flush or a full-house using his two dealt cards in combination with the first three cards face-up.
 33. In the method of claim 19, paying a pre-determined bonus to the player who places an optional same single side bet and who makes a poker hand of a straight, a flush, a full-house, four of a kind, a straight flush or a royal flush utilizing his two dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up.
 34. A method of playing a poker game involving a plurality of players comprising the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to each player, a second card face-down to each player, and then a third card face-down to each player; Dealing three cards face-up; Dealing a fourth card face-up; Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective three dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two of his three dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; Paying to the player having the best poker hand, the pot minus the casino rake and minus the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 35. A method of playing a poker game involving a plurality of players comprising the steps of: Each player placing the same single ante bet to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to each player, a second card face-down to each player, a third card face-down to each player, and then a fourth card face-down to each player; Dealing three cards face-up; Dealing a fourth card face-up; Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective four dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two of his four dealt cards in combination with three of the five cards face-up; Paying to the player having the best poker hand, the pot minus the casino rake and minus the bad-beat jackpot rake.
 36. A method for playing a poker tournament involving a plurality of tables T and a plurality of players P(T) up to P(max) players at each such table, said method comprising the steps of: At each table, commencing the first hand of the first round of play by each starting player placing the same first-ante bet A(1) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to the first designated player and then to each subsequent player; Dealing in order a second card face-down to such first designated first player and then to each subsequent player; Dealing five cards face-up by Dealing a first burn card face-down, Dealing three cards face-up, Dealing a second burn card face-down, Dealing a fourth card face-up, Dealing a third burn card face-down, and Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the first round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the first round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player; At each table, commencing the first hand of the second round of play by each player placing the same second-ante bet A(2) being a multiple of A(1) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to such first designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the second round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the second round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player; At each table, commencing the first hand of the third round of play by each player placing the same third-ante bet A(3) being a multiple of A(2) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to such first designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the third round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the third round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player.
 37. In the method of claim 36, wherein each player is provided with the amount of chips for commencement play in the tournament being equal to P(max) times [A(1) plus A(2) plus A(3)].
 38. In the method of claim 36, wherein A(3) is twice A(2); and wherein A(2) is twice A(1).
 39. In the method of claim 36, At each table, commencing the first hand of the Nth round of play wherein N is greater than 3 by each remaining player placing the same ante bet A(N) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the Nth designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the Nth round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the Nth round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player;
 40. In the method of claim 39, at the end of the Nth round of play, totaling the number of players remaining at the tables; and substantially equally distributing the remaining players amongst the tables.
 41. In the method of claim 39, after the Nth round of play, assigning no fewer than 6 of the remaining players to any table and assigning no more than 10 of the remaining players to any table.
 42. In the method of claim 39, wherein ante bet A(N) is twice ante bet A(N−1).
 43. In the method of claim 39, declaring the winner of the tournament should there be only one player remaining at the end of any hand during said Nth round being greater than the third round.
 44. A method for playing a poker tournament involving one table and a plurality of players P at such table, said method comprising the steps of: commencing the first hand of the first round of play by each starting player placing the same first-ante bet A(1) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down to the first designated player and then to each subsequent player; Dealing in order a second card face-down to such first designated player and then to each subsequent player; Dealing five cards face-up by Dealing a first burn card face-down, Dealing three cards face-up, Dealing a second burn card face-down, Dealing a fourth card face-up, Dealing a third burn card face-down, and Dealing a fifth card face-up; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the first round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the first round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player; commencing the first hand of the second round of play by each player placing the same second-ante bet A(2) being a multiple of A(1) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to such first designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the second round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the second round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player; commencing the first hand of the third round of play by each player placing the same third-ante bet A(3) being a multiple of A(2) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to such first designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the third round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated first player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the third round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player. commencing the first hand of the Nth round of play wherein N is greater than 3 by each remaining player placing the same Nth ante bet A(N) to create a pot; Dealing in order a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the Nth designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; Dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; Exposing each player's respective two dealt cards; Determining the best poker hand for each player's two dealt cards in combination with the five cards face-up; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; commencing the second hand of the Nth round of play by dealing a first card face-down and then a second card face-down to the next designated player and to each subsequent player as aforementioned; dealing five cards face-up as aforementioned; paying the pot to the player who has the best poker hand; and commencing and completing each subsequent hand of the Nth round of play as aforementioned until each subsequent player is the next designated player;
 45. In the method of claim 44, wherein each player is provided with the amount of chips for commencement of play in the tournament being equal to P times [A(1) plus A(2) plus A(3)].
 46. In the method of claim 44, declaring the winner of the tournament should there be only one player remaining at the end of any hand during said Nth round being greater then the third round.
 47. In the method of claim 44, wherein ante bet A(N) is twice ante bet A(N−1). 